BMW N13 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the BMW N13: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear»; the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 29 October 20267 sources How we work

Is the BMW N13 reliable?

The BMW N13 (2011-2016), BMW's first turbocharged four-cylinder in three decades, powered the 114i, 116i, 118i and 120i (F20/F21) and the 316i (F30). It derives from the Prince engine developed with PSA, the same origin as the 1.6 THP. In 2013 BMW issued a technical service bulletin over timing chain and tensioner wear; oil consumption and carbon build-up on the injectors are other weak points shared with that family.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Is the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD reliable?

The Honda e:HEV hybrid system (formerly i-MMD) has no serious, widespread faults documented in the sources consulted. The most cited issue is the 12 V battery going flat when the car stands unused and, on the 2.0, a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump.^[4][5]

See the 2 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Item	BMW N13	Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	102–177 hp	109–184 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	since 2018^[4][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	25Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	2
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: High oil consumption Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure	High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP) Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure^[4]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)^[4][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)^[2][3] 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)^[2][3] 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)^[2][3] 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)^[2][3]	i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)^[4][5] e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)^[5][7]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW N13

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 13 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Honda recalls 1.3 million cars: fuel pump fire risk (KBA 14559R)Car-Recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 17 March 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Guide d'achat Honda Civic (nueva campaña 6YP, 4.740 híbridos en Francia)L'argus · Motoring press · published 7 January 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French